Multiple gas burner



July 10, 1951 A. E. MARTOIS 2,559,979

MULTIPLE GAS BURNER Filed Feb. 23, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. 32 Aer/we 1 M4E7'0/5, BY 13' WM d WM AI'TORA/EK July 10, 1951 A. E. MARTOIS MULTIPLE GAS BURNER Filed Feb. 25, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. 427/102 .5 46427045,

Paten ted July 10, 1951 UN l TED S TAT ES- PATENT OF BIC-IE1 MULTIPLE GAs'BIiR'NER' ArthurE. Martois, Torrance; Calif."

Application February 23, 1945; serial No. 579357" sclaimsr (o1. 158"-106 This invention relates to gasburners'of' the" general character commonly employed in com-" bustion chambers of boilers, kilns, furnaces- 'and thelike to provide fuel for heating purposes by efiecting the admixture of gas and air in proper variableproportions, depending upon gas pres sure, and has particular application to portable locomotive-type firebox boilers utilized in-many oil-fields. The invention contemplates improvements in the burners described and claimed in y patents, No.- 2,231,391, dated February-ll, 1941, and No. 2,296,475, dated September 22,- 1942-.-

I'heconventional fire-tube boiler-employed in oil fields is usually provided With'a' large fire box, surrounded bya water jacket. Tubes, lead ing from the firebox, carry the heat through'the main 'water chamber to the stack. A principal problem encountered in the art prior to my invention has'been to provide a heating uniti-commensuratewith the size of the firebox; having -a plurality of burners, each'of maximum effi'ciency; insufficient number and arranged to assure aneven distribution of the heat produced; so as to' obviate the formation of-relatively hotandcold" areas Within the firebox, and insure'maximumcapacity" on low gaspressure.

A principal object of the presentinvention is to.. provide a compact, fiat burner assembly de signedto eife'ct a reduction inthe vertical dimen sion' -of the area normally occupied by prior art burners-in the firebox of boilers, and thereby -af-' ford 'a larger combustion zone above-the burners;

as well =as to avoid the direction of-fiameagainst the crown sheet and inner walls of --the firebox.

Another object-is to provide a sectional mani" fold to supply gas toeach of a series of'mixing chambers of each ofa plurality of separable the-assembly is to be accommodated, the mixingv i chambers of units arranged in adjacent rows being formed and disposed to direct the volumes of fuel mixed therein obliquely upwardtothe vertex of their angle of direction where they impinge and commingle, reducing flame length and causing the redirection of their components.

laterally in a secondary mixingz'one immediately above the space between the rows 'of mixing units;

through which space additional air may. be drawn toefiecta more uniform mixture of air and gas in "proper'prop'ortions.

Another "and highly important object hereof is theprovisionlof a burner assembly. utilizing .a

large "number of" gas jets whereby substantially produced in the individual chambers so as to assure maxim-um utility of the area" of the'fir'ebox available for fuelconsumption and correspondingly greater efficiency; especially when the' 'ga'spressur'e is extremely low;-

Still anotherobject is to provide a novel-device" for releasably and individually securing each mix ing -unit=in' proper postiio'n-on the manifoldwith respectto the gas jets-by which it is fedf' to facilitate assemblyof a composite burner of any desired' width or length.

Other objects and corresponding advantagesare economy of manufacture incident to 'a reduc tion in number of parts, resulting in a saving'in both labor cost and in criticalmateria'ls required; simplicity of adjustment of themixture'effected" in each: mixing 'cha mb'er, low weight, facilitating transportation without disassembly', andfdura-bil ity.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig;'-.1' is a fragmentary section of-"a boiler 01* one type to whichmy invention is particularly Well adapted, illustrating the noVel burner assembly operatively disposed in the" firebox.

Fig 2 isa-n enlarged plan view of "the inside' of the firebox shown in Fig. 1, depicting the arrange ment of the headers and gas distributing tube's' with the sectional mixing units releasa bly supportedby the" latter proportions of air to gasmay be controlled spectivel-y:

Referring. to the drawings indetail; the nu meralsv of which -indicate similar parts through- Fig; 3 is a perspective view,'l'partially broken away, illustrating the means by which: the -mix:-- ing; units aresecured on the manifold andzfurther illustrates the valvular meansby which theh out the-several views, 5* designates-generally a:

conventional locomotive type boiler of'the char; actencommonly employed in 0i1' fi61dS.- Sure roundin :the firebox 6 of boiler 5; the 'wa'llsearei hollow'to formwater chambersfl'; which: are in:

communication. with the main'; water chamber The: usual door, through which-the-fireboxmay be inspected-f isx.

of-= the boiler (not shown).

indicated at 8; A headeror pipe!) extends. alongi-x.

each [of :the two opposed side wallsaof thei fireboxe and is equipped with an L-fitting ID at its for- 3 ward end for connection to a gas main or other source of supply. The opposite end of each of the header pipes 9 are capped as at 29, the caps being removable to facilitate cleaning of the pipes by air pressure, when necessary. A channel section an is welded or otherwise secured in inverted position to the side of each pipe adjacent each of its ends for support on lugs 3i mounted on the walls of the firebox. It will be noted that the channels 30 are of sufficient width with respect to the thickness of the lugs 3| to permit longitudinal adjustment of the header and mechanism associated therewith hereinafter described, so as to facilitate placement of the unit in the firebox. Extending between and in communication with opposed headers 9, are a plurality of tubes H arranged in equi-spaced parallel relation and transverse to the longitudinal axis of the unit. The number of the distributing tubes H and the distance between adjacent tubes will depend, respectively, upon the size of firebox for which the burner is constructed, and the width of the mixing units i2, about to be described, as will appear.

The mixing units of the preferred form of my invention illustrated and herein described preferably consist of castings composed of a high grade heat-resistin burner metal (though they may be composed of any refractory material), and are each generally rectangular in form as illustrated most clearly in Fig. 2. Each mixer I2 is formed with a central partition i3, from the ends of which end walls i4 diverge at substantially a 45 angle for a short distance to provide a right angular recess l5 for a purpose hereinafter described, and then extend in parallel relation to the point of joinder with the side walls l6 which lie in oblique planes having a vertex below the partition, as indicated in Figs. 3 and 4. While the lower edges of partition l3, side walls and end walls l4 lie in a common plane, the upper edges of the end walls diverge downwardly on either side of partition i3, joining with the upper edges of respective sidewalls l6 which are accordingly narrower than the partition. Each mixing unit I2 is divided into eight mixing chambers ll of equal size by three transverse partitions I 8, having upper and lower edges parallel with correspondin edges of the end walls at respective sides of partition 13.

The mixing units l2, when operatively assembled, are supported by the manifold tubes H and, in a boiler of standard size of the character hereinabove referred to and illustrated in Fig. 1, four mixing units are carried in alignment, with their ends in contiguous relation, on each transverse distributing tube i I of the manifold. A plurality of pins [9, square in cross-section, are welded in upright position on tubes H in spaced relation to engage the ends of respective mixing units l2 to maintain the described relationship of the units on the manifold. In the embodiment depicted in the drawings, five pins l9 are mounted on each tube H and are spaced apart distances equal to the lengths of the mixing units l2, and are each arranged with the diagonal of the square of their cross-section parallel with the axis of the tube l I to which they are secured, so as to engage snugly in the right angular recesses If: in the end walls of the units. As will be observed from Fig. 2, pins l9 intermediate the ends of tubes ii are adapted asses-79 to engage adjoining ends of two abutting mixing units 12, while the end pins [9 on each tube H reinforce the position of the adjacent end of the outermost mixing units, respectively. Thus, the pairs of pins i9, engaging opposite ends of each mixing unit l2, hold the unit firmly against tilting, lateral or longitudinal motion while permitting facile removal and replacement, when necessary, by lifting it from between the pins I9.

Each distributing tube ll is formed with a plurality of orifices 20, equal in number to the total number of mixing chambers I! of the units [2 supported thereby, through which orifices 20 gas may be supplied to each chamber H. The orifices 2B are arranged in pairs in the upper arc of each tube H on radii of the latter, passing through approximately the middle of each pair of mixing chambers ll disposed at opposite sides of the partition l3 of each mixing unit, respectively. Each orifice 20 may be of sufficient size to receive, in threaded engagement. a jet 2! of conventional construction as indicated in Fig. 4.

Gas discharged from orifices 20 into the mixing chambers ll is effective to draw air from below and on either side of each distributing tube II. In order to control the volume of air admitted into each mixing chamber I1, and to permit an adjustment of the mixture of air and gas, I provide a, valvular structure below the distributing tubes comprising a stationary plate 22 having its edges welded on opposite sides to the underside of the headers 9, respectively. Plate 22 is formed with a plurality of slots 23 disposed parallel to distributing tubes II and arranged directly under respective row of mixing chambers I? of the units carried by the tubes of the manifold. Each slot 23 is of a length substantially equal to the lengths of the distributin tubes, so as to provide a uniform flow of air for each of mixing chambers l! which it is adapted to accommodate. A valve plate 24 is superimposed upon plate 22, and is slidable thereon between opposed headers 9 in a direction transverse to the slots 23 in plate 22. Valve plate 2d is formed with a plurality of slots 25 arranged to coincide with, and of the same size as, slots 23 of the stationary plate 22, but being slidable on plate 22, may, by such adjustment, vary the degree of registry or effect the complete misalignment of slots 23 and 25 of the respective plates 22 and 24, and thereby limit and control the flow of air through the slots into the mixing chambers H. The valve plate 24 is manipulated manually by means of a handle 26, secured to the forward edge of plate 24 and projecting downwardly through a slot 21 in the stationary plate 22'adjacent the front wall of the firebox 6, as is indicated in Fig. 1. After installation of the unit in a firebox, the space between the walls of the firebox and the mixing chambers may be substantially filled with firebrick, as indicated at 32 (Figs. 1 and 2) or a metal plate, if desired.

It will thus be observed that I have provided a compact sectional burner of uniform application and simple construction, comprising a plurality of identical mixing units, which facilitates assembly of a composite structure of any size necessary to meet specific requirements,

each mixer being removable from the unit to permit cleaning of the gas jet 2| or orifices or replacement of any of the mixers. An important feature of the invention will be seen to reside in the arrangement and construction of the various individual components whereby the mixers are supported directly bythe gas feederpipes,- so as to assure minimum burner height and a complementary larger combustion chamber, which is utilized most effectively incident to the close relationship of themixers and the oblique arrangement of the mixing chambers I! of each unit, and gas jets-therefor, whereby the combustible mixture emanating from each chamber is directed laterally. as well asupwardly. Thus, the blast or flow of air and gas,- effecting a primarymixture within each mixin chamber, impinges upon and intermingles with a flow of the mixture emanating from the opposed chamber ll of an adjacent unit at the opposite side of the passage formed between the rows of mixin units. As the commingling of the mixtures from adjoining rows of mixing units occurs directly above the passage just referred to, in which zone combustion is initiated, a volume of secondary air is drawn upwardly through each passage to facilitate complete combustion and the disbursal of the mixtures and flame throughout the firebox, assuring maximum efiiciency even at very low gas pressures.

While I have shown and described but one preferred embodiment of my invention, it will be understood that numerous changes in size, design, shape, proportion and number of the various parts may be made; that other means well known in the art may be utilized to effect the releasable connection between the mixing units and their supporting pipes, or that the recesses I5 may be of difierent contour with corresponding changes in the shape of the pins; that each unit may be equipped with more or fewer mixing chambers; that the precise angle of ejection of the gas from the feeder pipes is not critical, but may be varied, with corresponding changes in arrangement of the mixing chambers, to meet specific requirements; that conventional apparatus for mechanically controlling the air admitted into the firebox may be incorporated; and that the gas jets 2| as illustrated may be omitted if desired-all without departing from the spirit of my invention as defined in the appended claims.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a burner assembly, a plurality of gas distributing pipes arranged in parallel relation, a plurality of mixing units supported on said pipes, each of said mixing units comprising a plurality of mixing chambers overhanging opposite sides of the pipes on which said mixingunits are supported, respectively, said pipes having orifice means therein to direct gas obliquely upward into said mixing chambers, respectively, said pipes and the respective mixing units carried thereby being adjacent one another, whereby gas emanating from the orifices in adjacent pairs of pipes is directed through the mixing chambers of the units supported thereon into a common secondary mixing zone above and in vertical alignment with the area between said mixing units supported on said pairs of pipes, respectively, a stationary plate disposed below and parallel to said pipes substantially closing the area therebelow and having a slot therein beneath each series of said mixing chambers overhanging each side of each pipe, and a valve plate in contiguous relation with and slidable relative to said stationary plate having slots therein adapted to be moved into and out of registry with the slots in said stationary platei to "controlthe flow 'of air-into :said Emixirig;

chambers andrintorsaid secondaryrmixing zone-.- f

2-; In a burner; assembly, a. gas; distributing pipe, a pair of mixing units supportedFupon'ssaid pipe in serial contiguousjrelationship with; one another, each of said mixing units having mixing chambers therein, mean's secured in rigid rel-ationship;,-with saidpipe -to resist. movement of said mixing units longitudinally"Qhsaidipipe: adjoining, contiguous ,portions of said. respective mixing unit's'liaving registering recesses therein, means mounted upon said pipeengageablei'n-both of said recessesto --resist lateral motion of adjoining ends of said mixing units with respect to said pipe, said pipe having orifices therein to direct gas into said mixing chambers of each of said mixing units.

3. In a burner assembly, a gas distributing pipe, a pair of mixing units, each comprising a pair of parallel end walls, a plurality of intermediate walls parallel with said end walls, and a medial partition forming two parallel rows of equi-spaced mixing chambers, means to support said mixing units upon said pipe in adjoining relationship with nearest adjacent end walls of said units, respectively, in contiguous parallel relationship, the rows of said mixing chambers at corresponding sides of the partitions of said units being aligned with one another and overhanging corresponding lateral arcs of said pipe, the mixing chambers comprising the aligned rows being disposed in substantially equi-spaced rela-- tionship from said pipe, said pipe having orifice means therein to direct gas radially from said pipe obliquely upward into said mixing chambers, respectively. 7

4. In a burner assembly, a pair of spaced parallel gas distributing pipes, a mixing unit supported upon and in contiguous relationship with each of said pipes, each of said mixing units comprising flat side walls, a plurality of transverse walls extending between said side walls, and a medial partition forming two parallel rows of mixing chambers at opposite sides, respectively, of said partition and means carried by said pipes, respectively, to maintain said mixing units in adjacent spaced relationship with one another with the upper edges of nearest adjacent side walls of said units in spaced, parallel relationship, said pipes having orifice means therein to direct gas obliquely upward on radii of said pipes through said mixing chambers, respectively, and into the zone above the space between said adjacent side walls of said respective units.

5. In a burner assembly, a pair of spaced, parallel gas distributing pipes, a-pair of mixing units supported upon and in contiguous relationship with each of said pipes, each of said mixing units comprising side walls having straight upper edges, parallel end walls, a plurality of transverse walls extending between said side walls, and a medial partition, forming two parallel rows of mixing chambers at opposite sides, respectively, of said partition, and means carried by said pipes to maintain end walls of the mixing units supported upon each pipe in contiguous relationship, and the upper edge of a side wall of each of said mixing units carried by each of said pipes disposed in spaced, parallel relationship with an upper edge of a side wall of a mixing unit supported upon the other of said pipes, said pipes having orifice means therein to direct gas obliquely upward on radii of said pipes, respectively, through said mixing chambers of the mix- The following references are of record in the ARTHUR E. MARTOIS.

REFERENCES CITED file of this patent:

Number UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Nordyke Nov. 28, 1899 Number 8 Name Date Topp Oct. 2'7, 1914 English Sept. 11, 1917 Barber Jun 8, 1920 Mahr Oct. 2, 1923 Taylor July 15, 1924 Hughes Sept. 14, 1926 Wilkinson Mar. 4, 1930 Breitwieser Mar. 29, 1932 Martois Feb. 11, 1941 Martois Sept. 22, 1942 Schrader Jan. 9, 1945 

